There are reports some MLAs have been paid money to chair committees that do not meet. (CBC)

An outside consultant will be hired to take a close look at the salaries and perks paid to Nova Scotia politicians amid reports that some MLAs who chair legislative committees have been paid thousands of dollars for doing nothing.

The internal economy board, an all-party committee of the Nova Scotia legislature, agreed Wednesday to hire a consultant after hearing that some committees have not met for years.

One example is the legislature's internal affairs committee, which hasn't convened since 1994. Premier Darrell Dexter is paid $2,090 per year as chairman of that committee.

'It's been going on for so long that you kind of forget that it's actually happening.'—Finance Minister Graham Steele

The internal affairs committee is supposed to consider rules, privileges, procedures, matters relative to the legislative library and members' amenities.

Another example is the committee on assembly matters chaired by the Speaker of the house, Charlie Parker. The committee hasn't met for four years. Despite that, Parker is paid $3,090 per year for being the chairman.

That committee is supposed to examine the rules, procedures, practices, organization and facilities of the house of assembly.

Parker said he hopes to hire a consultant before Christmas, and he would expect recommendations by next spring.

"Again, I don't want to prejudge what an independent commissioner or independent review person might say, but, you know, common sense seems to tell you that if you're not doing the work, you shouldn't get paid," he said.

Finance Minister Graham Steele welcomed a review of the practice of paying committee chairmen who aren't doing any work.

""The fact that this has been going on is something, frankly, that slips below the radar, because it's been going on for so long that you kind of forget that it's actually happening," Steele said.

"But, I think, obviously, it makes little sense to pay people to chair a committee that never meets."

In September, the newly elected NDP government eliminated a longstanding MLA severance payment as well as their ability to sell their office furniture and equipment.

The $45,000 one-time payment was available to every MLA who quit or was defeated, on top of a generous severance allowance. After the last election, that cost the province more than $600,000.

In October, the NDP government also cut off access to a fund for MLAs to buy new computers and cellphones. The legislature's internal economy board decided to freeze the $200,000 technology fund for this year and the next.